When it comes to safety in industrial settings, there is no compromise. At Northern Platforms, we understand the challenges Safety Managers and Plant Managers face when it comes to ensuring the safety and compliance of their worksites. Fortunately, as your safe access solution experts, the Northern Platforms team is here to help!
Next, we will explain ways to spot potential trouble areas in your facility and how a set of crossover stairs can fix this potential hazard. Keep reading to find out more.
Understanding the Need for Safe Crossover Points
If you are a Safety Manager or Facility Plant Manager, you likely already know the importance of crossover stairs. Workers taking shortcuts over or under production lines is an age-old problem and one that can result in serious bodily harm, accidental death, and fines from governing bodies like OSHA and OH&S. Additionally, slips, accidental falls, and injuries commonly happen around ground-level obstacles and equipment that should have a designated crossover point. Fortunately, crossover stairs from Northern Platforms are the perfect solution.
Identifying Trouble Spots
When considering crossover stairs for your worksite or facility, it is essential to think like an inspector. Keep a keen eye out on how your employees move around your facility, then act immediately. Not only will this mentality keep your staff safe, but it will also give you peace of mind when your next safety inspection happens.
When observing your employees, ask yourself the following questions:
Is there an obstacle (such as a horizontal pipe, production line, or electrical conduit) that crosses an area of your facility’s deck?
Are workers always stepping over said obstacle instead of going around or to a designated crossover point?
Are your workers ducking underneath the obstacle to reach their stations or take a break?
Are your workers taking potentially dangerous shortcuts to cross your facility efficiently?
If you answer “Yes” to any of the above questions, then it’s likely that a crossover stair from Northern Platforms could solve these navigational issues and make your facility safer.
Remember, an injury to one of your workers due to them unsafely crossing over or under an obstacle in your facility can stop your operations. By providing your workers with secure access around obstacles and barriers with Northern Platforms crossover stairs, you’re ensuring their safety on the job, your facility’s compliance with safety regulations, and continuous production.
The ErectaStep Solution
If your worksite, facility or plant is facing safety and navigational issues, Northern Platforms is here to help! Our OSHA-compliant ErectaStep crossover stairs offer an easy-to-assemble solution. This five-piece modular system allows you to customize your crossover stairs to address any length or height your trouble areas require.
Each ErectaStep crossover stair system component is constructed from industrial-grade aluminum (also available in 304 stainless steel) and requires minimal tools and no welding for installation. When you bolt this modular access solution together, the result is a stable crossover stair that will not only last for years but can also be disassembled and reconfigured as your plant or facility grows.
When you need a cost-effective, easy-to-install, and OHSA / OH&S complaint crossover solution, Northern Platforms has you covered with our ErectaStep systems. Let our team help you design the custom access solutions you need with an on-site visit today!
Ready to Make Your Facility Safer?
With help from Northern Platforms’ highly trained and experienced team, we can ensure your facility or plant is safe and compliant. Contact us for a quote on your crossover stairs or to schedule an on-site visit and evaluation today! Remember, Northern Platforms is here to protect you and your workers from workplace injuries and to make loading, accessing, and unloading at your worksite a breeze.
At Northern Platforms, we understand that finding the right work platform for your facility or worksite can be challenging, as finding the right one-size-fits-all solution isn’t always easy or doable. Fortunately, we have a solution for tricky facilities or locations: our ErectaStep modular work platforms. Next, we will tell you more about this versatile platform and how our team can ensure you get the correct configuration for your operational needs. Keep reading to find out more!
Meet ErectaStep’s Innovative Modular Work Platforms
For over 20 years, Northern Platforms has been an industry leader in critical safe access solutions and loading equipment. One of our most versatile and popular products is Erectastep’s modular work platforms. These lightweight, aluminum work platforms can be adapted for nearly any application and facility. With its modular design, reusability, and simple installation process, our offering of ErectaStep modular work platforms can take your operations to the next level.
Let’s dig into this modular work platform further:
Versatile Modular Design and Components
Using only five components: prefabricated metal stairs, industrial handrails, metal work platforms, aluminum ladders and tower support, Northern Platforms’ ErectaStep modular work platform is a versatile yet sturdy access solution. This work platform is OSHA-compliant, precision manufactured, and fully engineered with quality materials. It also does not require any fabrication and can be configured into metal stairs, crossover stairs and many other designs to aid in movement over dike walls, pipes, equipment and more. So whether your facility needs a single 3’x3′ platform, a 3’x12′ walkway, a 9’x9′ work zone, or some other configuration, Northern Platforms’ inventory of ErectaStep modular work platforms has you covered!
Next are some features of our ErectaStep modular work platforms:
Universal design on all four sides of the platform for application adaptability
Aggressive self-draining tread
No welding, special tools or crane is required for assembly
OHSA-compliant
The lightweight yet durable design makes installation easy
Available in aluminum, galvanized, 304 stainless, and steel
If you’re considering installing an ErectaStep modular work platform into your facility, the Northern Platforms team is here to help! Our highly experienced and trained team will visit your site to identify goals and potential challenges with your facility; that way, we can ensure the job gets done right. We utilize a state-of-the-art custom configuration tool to virtually build your modular work platform, view accurate quotes, and see detailed design drawings in minutes. This lets you see exactly what your new modular work platform will look like once installed.
Northern Platforms’ team can even help you with the installation process! With our turnkey installation services, our team will take charge of the assembly process, ensuring that your equipment is installed safely and on time. This means you can focus on other aspects of your operations while Northern Platforms gets our hands dirty for you. Whether you need support installing your new ErectaStep modular work platform, OPW loading arms, or a railcar loading platform, our team is here to help!
Your End-To-End Partner
Since 2002, Northern Platforms has been your trusted source for SafeRack, OPW, ErectaStep, and many other quality access solutions from leading manufacturers. When you need a custom access solution for your facility or worksite, Northern Platforms in Leduc has you covered!
Contact us today to learn more about our ErectaStep modular work platforms or to find out more about our turnkey installation services!
When it comes to safety in industrial settings, there is no compromise. At Northern Platforms, we understand the challenges Safety Managers and Plant Managers face when it comes to ensuring the safety and compliance of their worksites. Fortunately, as your safe access solution experts, the Northern Platforms team is here to help!
Next, we will explain ways to spot potential trouble areas in your facility and how a set of crossover stairs can fix this potential hazard. Keep reading to find out more.
Understanding the Need for Safe Crossover Points
If you are a Safety Manager or Facility Plant Manager, you likely already know the importance of crossover stairs. Workers taking shortcuts over or under production lines is an age-old problem and one that can result in serious bodily harm, accidental death, and fines from governing bodies like OSHA and OH&S. Additionally, slips, accidental falls, and injuries commonly happen around ground-level obstacles and equipment that should have a designated crossover point. Fortunately, crossover stairs from Northern Platforms are the perfect solution.
Identifying Trouble Spots
When considering crossover stairs for your worksite or facility, it is essential to think like an inspector. Keep a keen eye out on how your employees move around your facility, then act immediately. Not only will this mentality keep your staff safe, but it will also give you peace of mind when your next safety inspection happens.
When observing your employees, ask yourself the following questions:
Is there an obstacle (such as a horizontal pipe, production line, or electrical conduit) that crosses an area of your facility’s deck?
Are workers always stepping over said obstacle instead of going around or to a designated crossover point?
Are your workers ducking underneath the obstacle to reach their stations or take a break?
Are your workers taking potentially dangerous shortcuts to cross your facility efficiently?
If you answer “Yes” to any of the above questions, then it’s likely that a crossover stair from Northern Platforms could solve these navigational issues and make your facility safer.
Remember, an injury to one of your workers due to them unsafely crossing over or under an obstacle in your facility can stop your operations. By providing your workers with secure access around obstacles and barriers with Northern Platforms crossover stairs, you’re ensuring their safety on the job, your facility’s compliance with safety regulations, and continuous production.
The ErectaStep Solution
If your worksite, facility or plant is facing safety and navigational issues, Northern Platforms is here to help! Our OSHA-compliant ErectaStep crossover stairs offer an easy-to-assemble solution. This five-piece modular system allows you to customize your crossover stairs to address any length or height your trouble areas require.
Each ErectaStep crossover stair system component is constructed from industrial-grade aluminum (also available in 304 stainless steel) and requires minimal tools and no welding for installation. When you bolt this modular access solution together, the result is a stable crossover stair that will not only last for years but can also be disassembled and reconfigured as your plant or facility grows.
When you need a cost-effective, easy-to-install, and OHSA / OH&S complaint crossover solution, Northern Platforms has you covered with our ErectaStep systems. Let our team help you design the custom access solutions you need with an on-site visit today!
Ready to Make Your Facility Safer?
With help from Northern Platforms’ highly trained and experienced team, we can ensure your facility or plant is safe and compliant. Contact us for a quote on your crossover stairs or to schedule an on-site visit and evaluation today! Remember, Northern Platforms is here to protect you and your workers from workplace injuries and to make loading, accessing, and unloading at your worksite a breeze.
Ensuring your employees can navigate obstacles or hazards securely is essential to maintaining a productive and safe work environment. This is where catwalk platforms from Northern Platforms come into play, providing a practical and efficient solution to enhance accessibility while minimizing safety risks. Below, we will explore typical applications for catwalk and crossover stairs, emphasizing the significance of these platforms in various industrial settings. Keep reading to find out more!
The Importance of Safety and Accessibility
Industrial catwalks and crossover stairs are essentially the same and are sometimes referred to as crossover ladders or platforms. These solutions play a critical role in improving safety and accessibility across numerous industrial settings. Workers naturally tend to take the shortest and simplest routes, often disregarding potential safety risks. By incorporating catwalk platforms in your facility, you create designated pathways that not only enhance safety but also make it easier for employees to access hard-to-reach areas.
Common Applications for Catwalk and Crossover Stairs
Industrial catwalks and crossover stairs are versatile access equipment that enables your crew to navigate your facility securely. While these safe access solutions can be used in a wide variety of applications, some of the most common applications include the following:
Over Pipes: In many industrial facilities, pipelines and conduits are often elevated and can create obstacles. Catwalk platforms serve as a safe and efficient solution for workers to access these areas while ensuring their safety.
Rooftops: Getting over HVAC and heating/cooling ducting systems on rooftops can be a challenge. Catwalk platforms provide an elevated path for employees to navigate these rooftop installations securely.
Cable Trays and Instrumentation Lines: Industrial facilities often have an intricate network of cable trays and instrumentation lines. Catwalk platforms allow workers to access and maintain these systems with ease.
Containment Berms: In settings where containment berms are in place for spill control, catwalk platforms offer a means to access and inspect these berms, ensuring they are in proper working order.
Customizable Catwalk Platforms
At Northern Platforms, we proudly offer ErectaStep industrial catwalk platforms that are both lightweight and customizable to fit your facility’s unique needs. These platforms are designed with simplicity in mind, making installation straightforward. But if you prefer a hassle-free installation, our team at Northern Platforms can handle the installation work for you!
Digital Customization Configuration
To ensure the optimal configuration for your catwalk platform, Northern Platforms offers the expertise of our team of safe access solution experts. They will visit your facility to identify potential challenges and design a catwalk platform tailored to your specific safety requirements. Using a digital customization configuration tool, we provide detailed blueprints of the access solutions we recommend so you can visualize the finished catwalk platform before installation and understand the final quote.
Catwalks, Gangways, Fall Protection and More
Catwalk platforms are crucial in enhancing safety and accessibility across various industrial applications. These platforms are essential for navigating numerous obstacles, such as pipes, rooftops, cable trays, and containment berms, ensuring your workers can perform their tasks securely.
Northern Platforms, with our customizable and easy-to-install catwalk solutions, is your trusted partner in elevating safety and accessibility in your industrial setting. Trust us to provide the right catwalk platform to meet your needs and enhance your facility’s safety.
Contact us today to learn more about installing an ErectaStep catwalk in your facility!
Handling hazardous chemicals demands precision, expertise, and unwavering commitment to safety. At Northern Platforms, we understand the critical importance of safe chemical transfers, which is why we stock high-quality and reliable loading arm systems. These systems are not only designed to facilitate the secure and efficient transfer of chemicals but also to minimize the risk to workers and the environment. Continue reading to learn more about our top loading arms, dry disconnects, and how Northern Platforms can ensure you have the right equipment for the job.
An Emerging Industry: Biofuels
Before getting into the details of top chemical loading arms, let’s take a moment to understand biofuels. Biofuels, like biodiesel and renewable diesel, have gained prominence as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. These fuels are derived from renewable sources like animal fats, vegetable oil, and waste restaurant grease. While they offer numerous benefits, including reduced carbon emissions, they come with their own set of challenges. Safe and efficient handling of biofuels is crucial to maximize their advantages; fortunately, Northern Platforms is here to help!
The Role of Loading Arms
When handling biofuels or other chemicals, loading arms plays a pivotal role. These arms act as a bridge between fixed loading facilities and chemical tankers, ensuring the smooth and safe transfer of liquids and gases. Essentially, they are the unsung heroes of many industrial processes as they are designed to withstand harsh chemicals while still upholding stringent safety standards.
Additionally, chemical loading arms from Northern Platforms are available in various configurations to cater to specific loading requirements. Among these, top loading arms are designed for filling road or rail tankers from above. They use a manhole or fixed connections, like couplers, to establish a secure link between the loading facility and the tanker. High-quality swivel joints and precise loading arm balancing are the cornerstones of these arms’ design, enabling them to transfer chemicals safely and efficiently.
Dry Disconnects and Loading Arms: The Perfect Pair
While chemical top loading arms provide exceptional safety and efficiency during fluid transfers, it’s important also to highlight the dry disconnect products that enable the transfer process to happen. At Northern Platforms, we stock a range of OPW Engineered Systems dry disconnects specifically engineered to enhance the safety and reliability of hazardous liquid transfers. Within our inventory, you’ll find four exceptional dry disconnect couplings, each with unique features and benefits. Below is a brief overview of how these couplings provide a shield against potential hazards during chemical transfers.
Drylok® – Exceptional Hazardous Liquid Transfer: Designed for the safe transfer of a wide range of hazardous and corrosive liquids, the Drylok® dry disconnect coupler excels in challenging loading-rack environments. Typical applications include handling acids, solvents and petrochemicals.
Kamvalok® – Virtually Eliminating Spillage: The OPW Kamvalok® Dry Disconnect stands out due to its unique poppet action, which virtually eliminates the spillage of residual liquid. Common applications include handling paint, inks, adhesives, petroleum products, and various chemicals. Kamvalok® offers a level of protection that is unmatched.
Epsilon™ – Unparalleled Efficiency: Epsilon™ Dry Disconnect Couplings are designed for efficiency and safety. Featuring an innovative double ball-valve system, Epsilon™ minimizes product loss while providing a reliable double shutoff mechanism.
Twist-Lok™ – Easy and Efficient: OPW’s Twist-Lok™ is the latest addition to their range of Dry Disconnect Couplers. It offers user-friendly operation and simple handling, providing a quick, easy connection with minimal product loss.
Installation and Maintenance Services
At Northern Platforms, our team doesn’t just stop at providing top-quality fall protection and access solutions. We also offer installation and routine maintenance services to ensure that your loading arm systems and gangways are operating in optimal condition. Moreover, our team is happy to visit your site or facility, assess your needs, and help you determine the best chemical top loading arm system for your specific application and facility. When you need expert support, Northern Platforms has you covered!
Your Source for Loading Arms and More!
The safe transfer of chemicals and biofuels is essential for protecting your workers, equipment, and the environment. Loading arms, especially chemical top loading arms, are instrumental in ensuring these transfers occur without incident. Northern Platforms provides top-of-the-line loading arms, fall protection, and safe access solutions prioritizing safety and efficiency. With our decades of experience and dedication to safety, our team ensures that you have the equipment you need to safely transfer chemicals with precision and care.
Contact Northern Platforms today and let our team help you determine the best possible loading arm system for your application.
